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NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINIANA 

PRESENTED  BY 

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i. 


Form  No.  A-368,  Rev.  8/95 


FAITH  AND  PRACTICE 
OF  THE 

CAPE  FEAR 

FREE-WILL  BAPTIST 

CONFERENCE 


REVISED  1926 


Press  of 

The  Standard  Printery 

FalcoH,  N.  C. 


r"    fop 


FAITH 


1 

THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES 

These  are  the  Old  and  New  Testaments. 
They  were  written  by  men  divinely  inspired, 
and  contain  God's  will  as  revealed  to  man. 
They  are  a  sufficient  and  infallible  guide  in 
religious  faith  and  practice,  and  the  supreme 
standard  by  which  all  human  conduct,  creeds 
and  opinions  should  be  tried. 


THE  TRUE  GOD 

The  Scriptures  teach  that  there  is  only  one 
true  and  living  God  (Deut.  6  :  4;  1  Cor.  8  : 
4;  Jer.  10:  10;  John  7:28;  2  Cor.  1:18;  1 
John  5:20;  1  Tim.  6:17),  who  is  a  Spirit 
(John  4:24;  2  Cor.  3:17),  self-existent  (Ex. 
3:14;  Psalm  83:18;  John  5:26;  Rev:  1:4), 
eternal  (Psalm  90:2;  Deut.  33:27;  Isa.  57: 
IS;  Rom.  1:20;  1  Tim.  1:17),  immutable 
(Mai.  3:6;  Num.  23:19;  James  1:17),  omni- 
present (1  Kings  8:27;  Jer.  23:24;  Psalm 
139:  7-10;  Isa.  57:15;  Acts  17:24),  omnis- 
cient (Acts  15:18;  1  Chron.  28:9;  Psalm  94: 
9,  10;  Acts  1:24;),  omnipotent  (Rev.  19:6; 
Job  42:2;  Psalm  135:6;  Matt.  19:26;  Mark 
14  :  36;  Luke  18:27),  independent  (Eph.  4:6 


4  DISCIPLINE 

Job  9:12;  Isa.  14:13,  14;,  Daniel  4:35;  Rom. 
11:33-36),  good  (Psalm  11 9-:  68;  25:8;  106:. 
1;  145:9;  Matt.  19:17),  wise  (Rom.  16:27;. 
Daniel  2:20;  1  Tim.  1:17;  Jude  25),  holy 
(Lev.  19:2;  Job  6:10;  just  (Deut.  32:4; 
Psalm  92:15-;  1 1 9 :  13  7 ;  Zeph.  3 :  S),-  and  mer- 
citul.(Eph.  2:4;  Ex.  34:6;  Neh.  9:17;  Psalm 
100:5),  the  Creator  (Gen.  1:1;  "Ex.'-2D-:il; 
Psalm  33:6,  9;  Col.  1:16;  Heb.  11:3),  Pre- 
server  (Neh.  9:6;  Job  7:20;  Col.  1:17;  Heb.- 
i::3)  and  Governor  (Psalm  47:7;  2  Chrbh. 
20:6;  Psalm  95:3)  of  the  Universe;  the-Re^ 
deemer  (Isa.  47:4;  Psalm  73:35;  Prov.  23 •:• 
11;  Isa.  41:14;  59:20;  Jer.  50:34),  Saw^' 
(Isa.  45:21;  43:3,  11;  49:26),  Sanctifier  (Ex. 
31:13;  1  Thes.  5:23;  Jude  1),  and  Judge 
(Heb.  12:23;  Gen.  18:25;  Psalm  50:6;  2 
Tim.  4:8)  of  men;  and  the  only  proper  ob- 
ject of  divine  worship  (Ex.  34:14;  20:4,. .5; 
Matt.  4:10;  Rev.  19:10). 

The  mode  of  His  existence,  however,  is  a^ 
subject  far  above  the  understanding  of  man 
(Job  11:7;  Isa.  40:28);  finite  beings  can' not 
comprehend  Him  (Rom.  11:33;  Job  26:14),' 
There  is  nothing  in  the  universe  that  can 
justly  represent  Him,  for  there  is  none  like 
Him  (Ex.  9:14;  8:10;  1  Chron.  17:20)."  .He 
is  the  foundation  of  all  perfection  and  happi- 
ness. He  is  glorified  by  the  whole  inanimate 
creation,  and  is  worthy  to  be  loved  and  served 
by  all  intelligences  (Psalm  19:1,  2;  145:10; 
150:6). 


DISCIPLINE  5 

t"       BIVINE  GOVERNMENT  AND 
PROVIDENCES 

••  God .  exercises  a  providential  care  and  su- 
perintendence over  all  His  creatures  (A(jts 
l-7::23;  Matt.  10:20;  Psalm  104:13,  14;.  job 
14^S;  Eph.  1:11),  and  governs  the  world, in 
wisdom  and  mercy,  according  to  the  testi- 
jnoriy  of  His  Word  (Psalm  22:28;  97:2;  Isa. 
33:22;  Ex.  34:6;  Job  36:5).  God  has  en- 
dowed man  with  power  of  free  choice,  and 
governs  him  by  moral  laws  and  motives;  and 
the  power  of  free  choice  is  the  exact  measure 
of  his  responsibility  (Deut.  30:19;  Isa.  1:18- 
2P;  John  5:40;  Rom.  2:14,  15;  Prov.  1: 
2-4-28).    ." 

: , -All  events  are  present  with  God  from  ever- 
Lasting,  to  everlasting,,  but  His  knowledge,  of 
them  does  not  in- any  sense  cause  them,  nor 
does  He  decree  all  events  which  He  .knov\fs 
will  occur  (Ezek.  33:11;  Acts  15:11;  i  Saml 
2:30;  Ezek.  18:20,  25,  31;  Jer.  44:4). 


.CREATION,    PRIMITIVE    STATE    OF 
MAN  AND  HIS  FALL 

CREATION 

God  created  the  world  and  all  things  that 
it -contains,  for  His  own'  pleasure  and  glory, 
and  for  the  enjoyment  of  His  creatures  (Rev. 


6  DISCIPLINE 

4:11;  Isa.  43:7;  1  Tim.  6.17).  The  angels 
were  created  by  God  (Col.  1:16),  to  glorify 
Him  (Rev.  7:11),  and  obey  His  command- 
ments (Psalm  103:20). 

Those  who  have  kept  their  first  estate,  He 
employs  in  ministering  blessings  to  the  heirs 
of  salvation  (Heb.  1:14;  Jude  6),  and  in  ex- 
ecuting His  judgments  upon  the  world  (2  Sam. 
24:16;  Rev.  16:1). 

God  created  man,  consisting  of  a  material 
body  and  a  thinking,  rational  soul  (Gen.  2:7). 
He  was  made  in  the  image  of  God  to  glorify 
his  Maker  (Gen.  1:26,  27;  1  Cor.  6:20). 

PRIMITIVE  STATE  OF  MAN  AND  HIS  FALL. 

Our  first  parents,  in  their  original  state  of 
probation,  were  upright;  they  naturally  pre- 
ferred and  desired  to  obey  their  Creator,  and 
had  no  preference  or  desire  to  transgress  His 
will  (Eccl.  7:29;  Eph.  4:24;  Col.  3:10),  till 
they  were  influenced  and  inclined  by  the 
tempter  to  disobey  God's  commands.  Pre- 
viously to  this,  the  only  tendency  of  their  na- 
ture was  to  do  righteousness.  In  consequence 
of  the  first  transgression,  the  state  under 
which  the  posterity  of  Adam  came  into  the 
world  is  so  far  different  from  that  of  Adam, 
that  they  have  not  that  righteousness  and 
purity  which  Adam  had  before  the  fall;  they 
are  not  naturally  willing  to  obey  God,  but  are 
inclined  to  evil  (Psalm  51:5;  Rom.  8:7;  Eph. 
2:4;  Psalm  58:3;  Gen.  8:21;  John  3:6;  Gal. 
5:19-21;  Rom.  5:12). 

\     - 


DISCIPLINE  7 

Hence,  none  by  virtue  of  any  natural  good- 
ness and  mere  work  of  their  own,  can  become 
the  children  of  God  (John  6:44;  1  Cor.  2: 
14);  but  all  are  dependent  for  salvation  upon 
the  redemption  effected  through  the  blood  of 
Christ,  and  upon  being  created  anew  unto 
obedience  through  the  operation  of  the  Spirit 
(John  3:25;  1:13;  Heb.  12:14;  Col.  1:14; 
Titus  3:5),  both  of  which  are  freely  provided 
for  every  descendant  of  Adam  (same  as  atone- 
ment, which  see). 


CHRIST 


Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  possesses  all 
Divine  perfections.  As  He  and  the  Father 
are  one,  He  in  His  Divine  nature  filled  all  the 
offices  and  performed  the  works  of  God  to 
His  creatures  that  have  been  the  subjects  of 
revelation  to  us.  As  man.  He  performed  all 
the  duties  toward  God  that  we  are  required 
to  perform,  repentance  of  sin  excepted. 

His  divinity  is  proved  from  His  titles.  His 
attributes  and  His  works.  The  Bible  ascribes 
to  Christ  the  titles  of  Savior  (Isa.  45:25;  43: 
10,  11;  John  4:42;  Phil.  3:20;  2  Tim.  1:10; 
Titus  2:13),  Jehovah  (Psalm  83:18;  Isa.  40: 
3;  Luke  1:76),  Lord  of  Hosts  (Isa.  8:13,  14; 
1  Peter  2:4-6;  Isa.  6:5;  John  12:41),  the 
first  and  the  last  (Rev.  21:13;  1:1,  11;  Isa. 
44:6),  God  (1  Tim.  3:16;  1  John  3:16;  John 
1:1;  Heb,  1:8;  John  20;28,  29),  true  (5od 


S  I5ISCIPLINE 

(l-JohH^:5:2G),  great  God  (Titus  2:13:).,. vGod 
over  all  (Rom.  9:5),  Mighty.  God,  and -the. 
everlasting  Father  (Isa.  9:6).    •  ■' .  •    • 

He  is  eternal  (Col.  1:17;  Micah  5:2;He.b; 
1:8),  unchangeable  (Heb.  13:8;  l:12)j  om-.. 
nipresent  (John  3:13;  Matt.  18:20^  28:20; 
Eph.  1:23),  omniscient  (John  16:30;-  2:25, 
26;  21:17;  Rev.  2:23),  omnipotent  (Col;  2: 
8,  10;  Matt.  28:18;  Heb.  1:3;  Rev.  1:8), 
holy  (Acts  3: 14;  Luke  1:35;  Heb.  7: 26-;. Rev. 
3:7),  and  is  entitled  to  Divine,  worship- (Heb-.- 
1:6;  John  5:23;  Phil.  2:10^11;  Matt.  28:9; 
Luke  24:52).  ' ^ 

Bv  Christ  the  world  was  created  (Heb.  1: 
8,  10;  John  1:3,  10;  Col.  1:16);  He  pre- 
serves (Heb.  1:3;  Col.  1:17),  and  governs  it 
(I«av9:6;  1  Peter  ^-.IZ;  Eph.  1^:21);  He  has 
provided  redemption  for  all  men  (Eph.  1:7; 
Heb.  9:12;  Gal.  3:13;  Isa.  44:6;  1  Peter  1: 
18, 19;  Rev.  5:9),  and  He  will  be  their  .final 
Judge  (2  Tim.  4:1;  Matt.  25:31-46-;  John 
5::22). 

The  Word,  which  in  the  beginning  was  with 
God,  and  which  was  God,  by  whom- all  things 
Were  made,  condescended  to  a  state  of  humili- 
ation in  becoming  like  us,  pollution  •  and  sin 
excepted  (John  1:14;  Phil.  2:6,  7;  2  Cor.  8: 
9;  Heb.  4:15).  In  this  state,  as  a  subject. of 
the  law.  He  was  liable  to  the  infirmities  of 
oiir  nature  (Heb.  2:17;  Matt.  8:17;  4:2;  8: 
24;  John  11:33,  35;  19:28;  Isa.  53:3^Luke 
2-2:44);  was  tempted  as  we  are  (Heb.  .4:15; 
Matt.. 4: 1-11);  but  He  lived  our  example,  and 
^^hdered  perfect  obedience  to  the  Divine  re- 


DISCIPLINE  '    9 

quirements  (1  Peter  2:21;  John  13:15;  1 
John  2:6).  As  Christ  was  made  of  the  seed 
of  David  according  to  the  iiesh,  He  is  called 
^'^-The  Son  of  Man  (Isa.  42:21;  Matt.  5:17; 
3:15;  Gal.  4:4);  and  as  the  Divine  existence 
is  the  fountain  from  which  He  proceeded,  and 
was  the  only  agency  by  which  He  was  begot- 
ten (Luke  19:10),  He  is  called  the  Son  of 
God  (John  16:27;  Matt.  1:18,  20),  being  the 
only  begotten  of  the  Father  (Luke  1:35; 
Mark  1:1;  John  1 : 34 ;  20 : 3 1 ) ,  and  the  only 
incarnation 'of  the  Divine  Being  (John  3:16; 
-1:18). 


THE  HOLY  SPIRIT 

"The  Scriptures  ascribe  to  the  Holy  Spirit 
the  acts  of  an  intelligent  being.  He  is  said 
to  guide  (John  16:13),  to  know  (1  Cor.  2: 
11);  to  niOve  (Gen.  1:2;  Acts  8:39)^  to  give 
information  (Acts  10:19;  1  Cor.  2:13;  Acts 
21:11;  John  i4:26),  to  command  (Acts  13: 
2),  to  forbid  (Acts  16:6),  to  send  forth  (Acts 
13:4),  to  reprove  (John  16:8;  Gen.  6:3),  and 
to  be.  sinned  against  (Mark  3:29;  Isa.  63:10i; 
Acts  7:51;  Eph.  4:30).  The  attributes  of 
God  are  ascribed  to  the  Holy  Spirit;  such  as 
eternity  (Heb.  9:14),  omnipresence  (Psalm 
139:7)j  omniscience  (1  Cor.  2:10),  goodness 
(Neh.  9:20;  Psalm  143:10),  and  truth  (John 
14:17J;-  -The  works  of  God  are  ascribed  to 
tile  Holy'- Spirit;  creation -(Job  33:4;  26:13-; 


10  DISCIPLINE 

Psalm  104:30),  inspiration  (2  Peter  1:21), 
giving  of  life  (1  Peter  3:18;  Rom.  8:11),  and 
sanctification  (1  Cor.  6:11). 

The  same  acts  which  in  one  part  of  the 
Bible  are  attributed  to  the  Holy  Spirit  are  in 
other  parts  said  to  be  performed  by  God  (Isa. 
6:8,  9;  Acts  28:25,  26;  John  3:16;  Matt.  1: 
18).  The  apostles  assert  that  the  Holy  Spirit 
is  Lord  and  God  (2  Cor.  3:17;  Acts  5:3,  4). 
From  the  foregoing  the  conclusion  is,  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  is  in  reality  God,  and  one 
with  the  Father  in  all  Divine  perfections.  It 
has  also  been  shown  that  Jesus  Christ  is  God, 
one  with  the  Father.  Then  these  three,  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  are  one  God. 

The  truth  of  this  doctrine  is  also  proved 
from  the  fact  that  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  are  united  in  the  authority 
by  which  believers  are  baptized,  and  in  the 
benedictions  pronounced  by  the  apostles 
(Matt.  28:19;  2  Cor.  13:14;  1  Peter  1:2), 
which  are  acts  of  the  highest  religious  wor- 
ship. 


7 

THE    ATONEMENT    AND    MEDIATION 
OF  CHRIST 

As  sin  can  not  be  pardoned  without  a  sac- 
rifice, and  the  blood  of  beasts  could  never 
wash  away  sin,  Christ  gave  Himself  a  sacri- 
fice for  the  sins  of  the  world  (1  John  2:2; 
Isa.  53:5;  10:11;  Rom.  4:25;  Matt.  20:28; 


DISCIPLINE  II 

1  Peter  3:18;  John  1:29;  Heb.  9:26;  Rom. 
5:6-8),  and  thus  made  salvation  possible  for 
all  men  (Titus  2:11;  Heb.  2:9;  1  Tim.  2:6; 
Isa.  45:22;  2  Peter  3:9;  2  Cor.  5:14,  15;  1 
Tim.  4:10). 

He  died  for  us,  suffering  in  our  stead,  to 
make  known  the  righteousness  of  God,  that 
He  might  be  just  in  justifying  sinners  who 
believe  in  His  Son  (Rom.  3:25,  26;  5:9,  18; 
Matt.  26:28;  Eph.  1:7;  Rev.  1:9;  1  Peter 
2:24).  Through  the  redemption  effected  by 
Christ,  salvation  is  actually  enjoyed  in  this 
world,  and  will  be  enjoyed  in  the  next,  by  all 
who  do  not  in  this  life  refuse  obedience  to  the 
known  requirements  of  God  (Rom.  5:18;  8: 
1;  Mark  16:15;  Rom.  2:14,  15).  The  atone- 
ment for  sin  was  necessary  (Heb.  9:22;  Eph. 
1:7;  Rom.  5:19).  For  present  and  future 
obedience  can  no  more  blot  out  our  past  sins 
than  past  obedience  can  remove  the  guilt  of 
present  and  future  sins.  Had  God  pardoned 
the  sins  of  men  without  satisfaction  for  the 
violation  of  His  law,  it  would  follow  that 
transgression  might  go  on  with  impunity,  gov- 
ernment would  be  abrogated,  and  the  obliga- 
tion of  obedience  to  God  would  be,  in  effect, 
removed.  Our  Lord  not  only  died  for  our 
sins,  but  He  arose  for  our  justification  (Rom. 
4:25;  1  Cor.  15:17),  and  ascended  to  heaven 
(Acts  1:11;  Mark  16:19),  where  as  Mediator 
between  God  and  man  He  will  make  interces- 
sion for  men  until  the  final  judgment  (Heb. 
7:25;  Rom.  8:34;  Heb.  9:24;  1  Tim.  2:5;  1 
Cor.  15:24). 


a  DISCIPLINE 

8 

THE  GOSPEL  CALL 

-  The  call  of  the  Gospel  is  coextensive  with 
the  atonement  to  all  men  (Mark  16:15;  Isa. 
45:22;  Prov.  8:4;  Isa.  55:1;  Rev.  22:17), 
both  by  the  Word  and  the  Striving  of  the 
Spirit  (Joel  2:28;  John  16:18;  1:9;  Isa.  55: 
11;  Luke  2:10;  so  that  salvation  is  rendered 
equally  possible  to  all  (1  Tim.  2:4;  Acts  10: 
34;  Ezek.  33:11;  2  Peter  3:9),  and  if  any 
fail  of  eternal  life,  the  fault  is  wholly  their 
Own  (Hosea  13:9;  Prov.  1:24-31;  Isa.  65: 
12;  Jer.  7:13,  14;  Zech.  7:11,  13;  John  5: 
40;  Matt.  23:37). 


REPENTANCE 

The  repentance  which  the  Gospel  requires 
includes  a  deep  conviction,  a  penitential  sor- 
row, an  open  confession,  a  decided  hatred, 
and  an  entire  forsaking  of  all  sin  (2  Cor.  7: 
10;  Psalm  51:17;  Prov.  28: 13; Psalm 32:3,  5, 
Ezek.  36:31;  Psalm  51:3,  4;  Ezek.  18:30). 
This  repentance  God  has  enjoined  on  all  men: 
and  without  it  in  this  life,  the  sinner  must  per- 
ish eternally  (Acts  17:30;  Luke  13:5;  Acts 
3:19). 


DISCIPLINE  13 

■  ;io  ■  .r:^  ,. 

FAITH 


Saving  faith  is  an  assent  of  the  mind  to  the 
fundamental  truths  of  revelation  (Heb.  11:1, 
6;  John  5:46,  47;  Rom.  10:9) ;  an  acceptance 
of  the  Gospel  through  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  (Rom.  10:10;  Gal.  5:22;  1  Cor. 
12:8,  9) ;  and  a  firm  confidence  and  trust  in 
Christ  (Acts  16:31;  John  3:16;  Rom.  4:20, 
22;  Eph.  3:12).  The  fruit  of  faith  is  obedi- 
ence to  the  Gospel  (James  2:17;  Gal.  5:6; 
1  Tim.  1:5).  The  power  to  believe  is  the  gift 
of  God  (Phil.  1:29;  2  Peter  1:1;  Eph.  2:8); 
but  believing  is  an  act  of  the  creature  which 
is,  required  as  a  condition  for  pardon,  and 
without  which  the  sinner  can  not  obtain  sal- 
vation (John  3:36;  Mark  16:16;  John  IS :  2 1 , 
24;  Heb.  11:6).  All  men  are  required  to  be- 
lieve in  Christ;  and  those  who  yield  obedi- 
ence to  His  reqquirements  become  the  chil- 
dren of  God  by  faith  (John  1:7;  Gal.  3:26; 
Acts  10:43;  Rom.  5:1;  John  3:15). 


::■■■  ,■■;••:  .  .  II 

REGENERATION 

As  man  is  a  fallen  and  sinful  being,  he  must 
be  regenerated  in  order  to  obtain  salvation 
(John  3:3;  Heb.  12:14;  Rev.  21:27;  Gal.  5: 
19-21).  This  change  is  an  instantaneous  re- 
newal of  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit  (John 
3jjS/;-l:13i  Ezek.:36:26^  IXl  Titus  3:S^:Eph, 


14  DISCIPLINE 

2:10),  whereby  the  penitent  sinner  receives 
new  life,  becomes  a  child  of  God  (Rom.  8: 
16;  John  1:12;  5:25;  James  1:18;  2  Cor,  5: 
17),  and  disposed  to  serve  Him  (Ezek.  11:19, 
20;  1  Peter  2:5).  This  is  called  in  Scripture 
being  born  again,  born  of  the  Spirit  (John  3: 
5,  6,  8;  1  John  4:7;  5:1),  being  quickened 
(Eph.  2:1;  Psalm  119:50,  93;  Eph.  2:5;  Col. 
2:13),  passing  from  death  unto  life  (John  5: 
24;  1  John  3:14),  and  a  partaking  of  Divine 
nature  (2  Peter  1:4;  Heb.  3:14). 


12 

JUSTIFICATION 

Personal  justification  implies  that  the  per- 
son justified  has  been  guilty  before  God;  and 
in  consideration  of  the  atonement  of  Christ, 
accepted  by  faith,  the  sinner  is  pardoned  and 
absolved  from  the  guilt  of  sin,  and  restored 
to  the  Divine  favor  (Rom.  5:1,  16;  Acts  13: 
39;  Isa.  53:11).  Though  Christ's  atonement 
is  the  foundation  of  the  sinner's  redemption, 
yet  without  repentance  and  faith  it  can  never 
give  him  justification  and  peace  with  God 
(Acts  13:19;  Heb.  4:2;  11:6;  Rom.  9:31,  32; 
Acts  13:38,  39). 


13 

SANCTIFICATION 

Man's  Side. —  A  complete  consecration  of 
himself  and  all  hi^  t9  Q9Cl  and  His  service 


DISCIPLINE  IS 

(Rom.  12:1;  1  Cor.  6:19,  20;  Lev.  20:7;  2 
Cor.  7:1;  1  Cor.  10:31;  Mai.  3:10;  Luke  12: 
22,  23;  14:25-33). 

God's  Side. —  Is  an  intantaneous  work  of 
God's  grace  in  a  believer's  heart  whereby  the 
heart  is  cleansed  from  all  sin  and  made  pure 
by  the  blood  of  Christ;  it  is  obtained  by  faith 
and  is  subsequent  to  regeneration.  The 
Christian  can  and  should  abide  in  this  state 
unto  the  end  of  life,  constantly  growing  in 
grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  (1  Thes.  4:3;  John  17:17;  1  Thes.  5: 
23;  Heb.  13:12;  Eph.  5:26;  1  John  1:7;  Lev. 
20:8;  Heb.  9:13,  14;  2  Tim.  2:20,  21;  Heb. 
2:11;  10:1-22;  Luke  24:49;  Acts  2:1-4;  15: 
8,  9;  26:16-18;  1  Cor.  1:30;  1  John  4:16-18). 


14 

BAPTISM  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST 

We  believe  that  the  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  may  be  obtained  by  a  definite  act  of 
appropriating  faith  on  the  part  of  the  fully 
cleansed  believer,  and  that  the  first  evidence 
of  the  reception  of  this  experience  is  the  speak- 
ing with  other  tongues  as  the  Spirit  gives  ut- 
terance (Luke  11:13;  Acts  1:5;  2:1-4;  8:17). 


15 

GIFTS   OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

We  believe  that  it  is  the  privilege  of  the 
Spirit-baptized  believer  to  enjoy  the  benefits 


16        .  DISCIPLINE 

of  spiritual  gifts  —  wisdom,  knowledge,  faith, 
gifts  of  healing,  working  of  miracles,  proph- 
ecy, discerning  of  spirits,  divers  kinds  of 
tongues,  and  the  interpretation  of  tongues  (1 
Cor.  12:1-14),  and  that  these  gifts  are  sep- 
arate and  apart  from  the  baptism. 


16 

PERSEVERANCE  OF  THE  SAINTS 

.  There  are  strong  grounds  to  hope  that  the 
truly  regenerate  will  persevere  unto  the  end 
and  be  saved  through  the  power  of  Divine 
grace  which  is  pledged  for  their  support 
(Rom.  8:38,  39;  1  Cor.  10:13;  2  Cor.  12:9; 
Job  17:9;  Matt.  16:18;  John  10:27,  28;  Phil. 
1:6);  but  their  future  obedience  and  final 
salvation  are  neither  determined  nor  certain, 
since,  through  infirmity  and  manifold  temp- 
tations, they  are  in  danger  of  falling;  they 
ought  therefore  to  watch  and  pray,  lest  they 
make  shipwreck  of  their  faith  and  be  lost  (2 
Chron.  15:2;  2  Peter  1:10;  Ezek.  33:18;  John 
15:6;  1  Cor.  10:12;  Heb.  6:6;  12:15;  1 
Chron.  28:9;  Rev.  2:4;  1  Tim.  1:19;  2  Peter 
2:20,  21;  1  Cor.  9:27;  Matt.  24:13). 


17 

THE  SABBATH 

This  is  one  day  in  seven,  which,  from  the 
creation  of  the  world,  God  has  set  apart  for 
sacred  rest  and  holy  service  (Gen.  2:3;  Mark 
2:27j  Neh.  9:14). 


DISCIPLINE  17 

Under  the  former  dispensation  the  seventh 
day  of  the  week,  as  commemorative  of  the 
work  of  creation,  was  set  apart  for  the  Sab- 
bath (Ex.  20:8-11).  Under  the  Gospel,  the 
first  day  of  the  week,  in  commemoration  of 
the  resurrection  of  Christ,  and  by  authority 
of  the  apostles,  is  observed  as  the  Christian 
Sabbath  (Luke  24:1-7;  33:36;  John  20:19, 
26;  Acts  2:1;  20:7;  1  Cor.  16:2;  Rev.  1:10; 
Psalm  118:22-24).  On  this  day  all  men  are 
required  to  refrain  from  secular  labor,  and 
devote  themselves  to  the  service  of  God  (Isa. 
58:13,  14;  56:2;  Ex.  20:8-11). 

In  these  days  when  the  Sabbath  is  being 
desecrated  by  so  many,  we  as  a  church  feel  it 
our  duty  to  take  a  stand  against  the  practice 
of  buying  and  selling  on  Sunday,  attending 
meetings  for  worldly  amusement,  visiting 
pleasure  resorts,  promiscuous  and  question^ 
able  joy-riding,  etc.,  on  the  Sabbath.  -" 


18 

WORLDLY  AND  SINFUL  AMUSEMENTS 

We  believe  that  it  is  decidely  against  the 
Christian  character  and  influence  of  all  people 
to  engage  in  dancing  and  card-playing,  and  to 
attend  fairs,  shows,  carnivals,  etc;  going  to 
swimming  lakes  and  pools  and  bathing  with 
mixed  crowds  in  the  modern  half-nude  style 
bathing  suits,  or  in  any  suits  without  being 
well  chaperoned.  Church  members  who  prac^ 
tise  the  things  mentioned  above  should  be  ad- 
monished and  treated  as  in  other  offences. 


IS  DISCIPLINE 

19 

TEMPERANCE 

To  be  temperate  is  to  abstain  from  the  use 
of  all  intoxicating  liquors,  be  moderate  in  eat- 
ing, avoiding  immodest  styles  and  fashions  of 
the  world;  leaving  off  those  things  that  will 
make  us  conform  to  the  ways  of  the  world. 
"Abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil "  is  a 
good  motto. 

Members  of  the  Free-Will  Baptist  Church 
who  persist  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors, 
after  they  have  been  admonished,  are  to  be 
excluded. 

We  believe  that  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any 
form  is  in  direct  opposition  to  the  principles 
of  gospel  temperance,  and  should  be  discon- 
tinued by  our  entire  membership,  and  espe- 
cially those  who  are  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 
Our  churches  and  Sunday  schools  should  dis- 
courage every  form  of  intemperance,  and  do 
what  they  can  to  encourage  the  enforcement 
of  the  prohibition  laws  and  regulations. 


20 

TITHING 

While  the  individual  member  of  the  church 
is  left  free  to  decide  for  himself  the  amount  he 
should  give  to  God's  cause,  we  believe  that 
one-tenth  of  our  net  income  belongs  to  God. 
While  this  was  practised  under  the  law,  in- 
stead of  repealing,  as  some  would  have  us  be- 


DISCIPLINE  19 

lievc,  Jesus  endorsed  it  (Matt.  23:23).  For 
other  Scriptures  on  tithing,  see  Gen.  28:22; 
Lev.  27:30;  Mai.  3:8-10. 


21 

DIVORCE 

We  believe  that  there  is  only  one  Scrip- 
tural reason  for  divorce,  and  that  is,  fornica- 
tion, or  adultery,  on  the  part  of  the  person 
from  whom  the  divorce  is  desired.  We  do  not 
believe  that  there  is  any  Scripture  that  sets 
either  the  husband  or  wife  free  to  marry  again 
so  long  as  both  parties  live  (Matt.  5:32;  19: 
9;  Luke  16:18;  Rom.  7:3;  1  Cor.  7:10). 


22 

THE  CHURCH 

The  Church  is  an  organized  body  of  believ- 
ers in  Christ,  who  statedly  assemble  to  wor- 
ship God,  and  who  sustain  the  ordinances  of 
the  Gospel  agreeably  to  His  Word  ( 1  Cor.  1 : 
2;  Acts  2:41,  47;  20:7;  1  Cor.  16:1,  2;  Rev. 
1:4).  In  a  more  general  sense  it  is  the  whole 
body  of  Christians  throughout  the  world,  and 
none  but  the  regenerate  are  its  real  members 
(Eph.  5:25,  27;  1:22,23;  1  Cor.  12:27,  28; 
Col.  1:18,  24;  1  Peter  2:5;  John  18:36;  IS: 
2,  6).  Believers  are  admitted  to  a  particular 
Church  on  their  giving  evidence  of  faith,  being 
baptized  and  receiving  the  hand  of  felowship 
(Acts  2:41;  8:12;  Gal.  3:27). 


^0  DISCIPLINE 

23 
THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY 

Qualifications  of  Ministers, — ^They 
must  Dossess  good  natural  and  acquired 
abilities  (2  Tim.  2:15;  1  Tim.  4:13-16;  Titus 
1:9;  2:7,  8;  2  Tim.  1:7;  2:2;  1  Tim.  3:2-7), 
deep  and  ardent  piety  (Psalm  50:16;  2  Tim. 
1:8-11,  14;  2:22;  3:5;'Titus  1:5-9;  1  Cor. 
2:12-16),  be  specially  called  of  God  to  the 
work  (Acts  20:28;  Heb.  5:4;  1  Cor.  9:16; 
Acts  13:2),  and  ordained  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  (1  Tim.  4:14;  2  Tim.  1:6;  Acts  13:3). 

Duties  of  Ministers. — ^They  are  to  preach 
the  Word  (Mark  16:15;  2  Tim.  4:2;  2  Cor. 
4:5;  Ezek.  33:7),  administer  the  ordinances 
of  the  Gospel  (Matt.  28:19;  Luke  22:19,  20; 
Acts  20:11;  27:35;  1  Cor.  11:23-28;  10:16), 
visit  their  people,  and  otherwise  perform  the 
work  of  faithful  pastors  (Heb.  13:17;  1  Peter 
5:2;  Acts  20:28,  31;  Jer.  3:15). 


24 

ORDINANCES  OF  THE  GOSPEL 

Christian  Baptism. —  This  is  the  immer- 
sion of  believers  in  water  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  (Matt. 
28:19;  Col.  2:12;  Acts  8:36-39;  Matt.  3:16 
Mark  1:5;  John  3:23;  Acts  16:32-34;  2:41) 
in  which  are  represented  the  burial  and  resur- 
rection of  Christ,  the  death  of  Christians  to 
the  world,  the  washing  of  their  souls  from  th^ 


DISCIPLINE  21 

pollution  of  sin,  their  rising  to  newness  of  life, 
their  engagement  to  serve  God,  and  their  res- 
surrection  at  the  last  day  (Rom.  6:4;  Col.  3: 
3;  2:12;  Titus  3:5;  Gal.  3:27;  1  Cor.  15:29). 

The  Lord's  Supper. —  This  is  a  commem- 
oration of  the  death  of  Christ  for  our  sins,  in 
the  use  of  bread,  which  He  made  the  emblem 
of  His  broken  body;  and  the  cup,  the  emblem 
of  His  shed  blood  (1  Cor.  11:23-26;  Matt. 
26:26^28;  Luke  22:19,  20).  And  by  it  the 
believer  expresses  his  love  for  Christ,  his  faith 
and  hope  in  Him,  and  pledges  to  Him  perpet- 
ual fidelity  (1  Cor.  10:16,  21;  11:27-29).  It 
is  the  privilege  and  duty  of  all  who  have  spir- 
itual union  with  Christ  thus  to  commemorate 
His  death;  and  no  man  has  a  right  to  forbid 
these  tokens  to  the  least  of  His  disciples  (1 
Gor.  10:17;  Matt.  26:27;  Rom.  14:1,  10;  1 
C^r,  12:12-27;  Acts  2:42;  20:7).     ' 

Feet-Washing. —  This  is  a  sacred  ordi' 
nance  of  humility,  instituted  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  enjoined  upon  His  disciples 
as  a  duty  to  be  observed  by  them.  In  this  He 
set  the  example  (Matt.  28:19,  20;  John  13: 
1-17).  • 

■  ■Laying  on  of  Hands. —  In  this  the  be- 
liever is  taught  to  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  (Acts  8:14-17;  19:6). 


DEATH  AND  THE  INTERMEDIATE 

STATE 
P-eath.— As  the  result  of  sin,  all  mankind 


22  DISCIPLINE 

are  subject  to  the  death  of  the  body  (Rom.  S: 
12;  Heb.  9:27;  1  Cor.  15:22;  Psalm  89:48; 
Eccl.  8:8). 

Intermediate  State. —  The  soul  does  not 
die  with  the  body;  but  immediately  after 
death,  it  enters  into  a  conscious  state  of  hap- 
piness or  misery,  according  to  the  moral  char- 
acter here  possessed  (Eccl.  12:7;  Phil.  1:23; 
Luke  23:43;  Matt.  17:3;  22:31,  32;  Acts  7: 
59;  Matt.  10:28;  2  Cor.  5:8;  Luke  16:22- 
26;  Rev.  6:9). 


26 
SECOND  COMING  OF  CHRIST 

The  Lord  Jesus,  who  ascended  on  high  and 
sits  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  will  come  again 
to  close  the  gospel  dispensation,  glorify  His 
saints,  and  judge  the  world  (Acts  1:11;  Matt. 
25:31;  1  Cor.  15:24-28;  1  Thes.  4:15-17;  2 
Thes.  1:7,  10;  2  Peter  3:3-13;  Matt.  24: 
12-14). 


27 
THE  RESURRECTION 

The  Scriptures  teach  the  resurrection  of  the 
bodies  of  all  men  at  the  last  day,  each  in  its 
own  order;  they  that  have  done  good  will 
come  forth  to  the  resurrection  of  life,  and  they 
that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of 
damnation  (John  5:28,  29;  Acts  24:15;  1 
Cor.  15:22,  23;  2  Tim.  2:18;  Phil.  3:21;  1 
Cor.  15:35-44;  Daniel  12:2). 


DZSaPLIKB  23 

28 

THE  GENERAL  JUDGMENT  AND 
FUTURE  RETRIBUTION 

There  will  be  a  general  judgment,  when 
time  and  man's  probation  will  close  forever 
(Acts  17:31;  1  Cor.  15:24;  Rev.  10:6;  22: 
11;  2  Peter  3:11,  12;  Eccl.  9:10).  Then  all 
men  will  be  judged  according  to  their  works 
(2  Cor.  5:10;  Eccl.  12:14;  Matt.  12:36;  Rev. 
20:12;  Rom.  2:16).  Immediately  after  the 
general  judgment  the  righteous  will  enter  into 
eternal  life,  and  the  wicked  go  into  a  state  of 
endless  punishment  (Matt.  25:40;  2  Thes.  1: 
8-10;  Rom.  6:23;  2  Peter  1:11;  Mark  3:29; 
9:43,  44;  Jude  7;  Rev.  14:11;  11:7,  8,  27; 
Matt.  13:41-43;  Rom.  2:6-10). 


CHURCH  COVENANT 


Having  been  brought,  as  we  believe,  by  Di- 
vine grace  to  accept  the  Lord  Jesus  as  our 
Savior  and  Preserver,  wo  do  now  solemnly  and 
joyfully  covenant  and  agree,  by  God's  help, 
to  walk  together  in  brotherly  love. 

We,  therefore,  enter  into  covenant  as  mem- 
bers of  this  Church  and  as  Christians,  that 


24  DISCIPLINE 

we  will  watch  over  each  other  in  love,  shar- 
ing together  each  other's  joys  and  sorrows; 
that  we  will  not  forsake  the  assembling  of  our- 
selves together,  nor  omit  the  great  duty  of 
prayer  for  ourselves  and  others;  that  by.  Di- 
vine assistance  we  will  endeavor  to  bring,  yp 
those  under  our  care  in  the  nurture  and  admor 
nition  of  the  Lord;  that  in  all  things  we  will 
strive  to  exemplify  our  profession  by  a  cor-, 
responding  practice,  to  abstain  from  all  sin* 
ful  conformity  to  the  world;  to  be  just  in  our 
dealings,  faithful  in  our  engagements,  and  ex- 
emplary in  all  our  deportment;  that  we  will 
abstain  from  the  sale  and  use  of  intoxicating 
liquors  as  a  beverage;  that  we  will  sustain. th§ 
worship,  ordinances,  discipline  and  doctrines 
of  this  Church;  that  we  will  contribute  cheer- 
fully, according  to  our  ability,  to  the  support 
of  the  ministry,  the  expense  of  the  church,  the 
relief  of  the  poor  and  the  general  spread  of 
the  Gospel. 

In  keeping  this  solemn  Covenant,  may  we 
ever  enjoy  the  blessings  and  presence  of  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church. 


PRACTICES 


/THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE      ;"V 

CHURCH  ;;  !': 

When  any  number  of  believers  desire  to  be 
organized  into  a  Free- Will  Baptist  Church; 


DISCIPLINE  25; 

they  are  examined  by  one  or  more  regular^ 
Free-Will  Baptist  ministers  in  reference  to: 
their  Christian  character,  doctrines,  and  abil- 
ity to  sustain  a  church.  If  the  examination  is 
satisfactory,  the  applicants  are  organized  into 
a  ichurch  as  follows : 

'uThe  Bible  is  presented  as  the  only  rule  of 
faith  and  practice. 

r  The  Church  Covenant  recorded  in  this  Dis- 
cipline is  adopted. 

A  prayer  of  consecration  is  offered. 
The  hand  of  fellowship  is  given.    Then  of- 
ficers are  elected. 


OFFICERS 

■The  officers  of  the  Church  are  Clerk,  Treas- 
urer, Deacons,  Deaconesses,  Finance  Commit-- 
tee  and  Pastor. 

■Clerk. —  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  to 
keep  a  church  book,  and  in  it  record  the 
Church  Covenant,  the  names  of  the  members, 
and  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Church,  in  the 
exercise  of  its  discipline  and  management  of 
its  temporal  affairs.  He  also  signs  all  letters 
land  other  communications  made  by  authority 
Df  .the  Church. 

Treasurer. —  It  is  the  Treasurer's  duty  to 
eceive  all  the  money  belonging  to  the  Church, 
and  pay  out  the  same  by  order  of  the  Church. 
He  should  keep  a  correct  account  of  all  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures,  and  make  a  full 
statement  of  the  same  to  the  Church  at  tb© 


26  DISCIPLINE 

end  of  each  Conference  year,  or  oftener,  if 
so  ordered  by  the  Church. 

Deacons. —  They  are  elected  for  life  or  dur- 
ing good  behavior.  They  should  be  men  dis- 
tinguished among  their  brethren  for  piety  and 
benevolence.  Before  entering  upon  the  du- 
ties of  their  office,  they  are  ordained  by  the 
pastor  or  other  regular  minister.  Ordination 
consisting  of  charge,  laying  on  of  hands,  and 
prayer.  It  is  their  duty  to  serve  at  the  Lord's 
table,  to  distribute  of  the  bounty  of  the 
Church  among  its  needy  members,  to  visit  the 
sick,  to  assist  the  pastor  in  promoting  order 
and  attendance  upon  the  means  of  grace,  to 
see  that  efficient  Scriptural  discipline  be  en- 
forced in  the  Church,  and  to  conduct  religious 
meetings  in  the  absence  of  the  pastor. 

Finance  Committee. —  These  have  the 
general  management  of  the  finances  of  the 
Church,  subject  to  the  Church's  control. 

Deaconesses. —  They  assist  the  Deacons 
and  Finance  Committee,  in  visiting  the  sick, 
in  collecting  funds  and  distributing  among 
the  needy  members,  and  enforcing  proper  dis- 
cipline among  the  female  members. 

Pastors. — Each  Church  elects  its  own  Pas- 
tor, upon  such  terms  as  may  be  agreed  upon 
between  the  parties  themselves.  It  is  the  pas* 
tor's  duty  faithfully  to  preach  the  Word,  to 
have  the  general  superintendence  of  the 
Church,  to  be  himself  an  example  to  the  flock, 
to  visit  the  members,  especially  the  sick,  as  he 
has  opportunity,  and  to  do  all  in  his  power 
to   promote   the   religious  interests  of   the 


DISCIPLINE  27 

Church  which  he  serves,  and  to  advance  the 
cause  of  Christ  among  men. 


GOVERNMENT 


RECEPTION  OF  MEMBERS 

Any  person  who  gives  evidence  of  a  change 
of  heart,  profess  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  has  been  immersed  by  a  proper 
administrator,  is  received  to  membership  by 
a  vote  of  the  Church.  From  other  churches, 
immersed  persons  are  received  by  letter.  No 
one,  against  whom  any  valid  objection  is 
made,  is  received  to  membership.  When  any 
member  objects  to  the  reception  of  an  appli- 
cant, the  matter  is  deferred  until  the  Church 
can  ascertain  the  nature  of  the  objection.  If, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Church,  the  objection 
is  not  a  valid  one,  the  applicant  may  be  re- 
ceived. Excluded  members  are  received  again 
only  when  they  confess  their  errors  and  give 
evidence  of  repentance.  Persons  excluded 
from  other  churches  are  not  received,  unless 
it  be  made  evident  that  they  were  excluded 
upon  unjustifiable  grounds.  The  hand  of  fel- 
lowship is  extended  to  all  who  are  received 
into  the  membership  of  the  Church. 


28:  DISCIPLINE 

•-DISMISSION  OF  MEMBERS £^  > 
Only  members  in  good  standing  are  dis- 
missed from  the  Church,  and  these  for  no 
other  reason  than  to  unite  with  some  other 
Church.  Such  members  receive  letters  of  hon- 
orable dismission  and  commendation,  but  are 
under  the  watch-care  of  the  same  Church 
until  they  are  received  into  some  other. 

A  withdrawal  without  such  letter  of  com- 
rnendation  is  equivalent  to  excommunication, 
slM  treated  as  such  by  the  Church. 


-PRINCIPLES  OF  DISCIPLINE 

Offences  that  may  require  the  exercise  of 
discipline  are  either  private  or  public.  Pri- 
vate offences  are  such  as  are  from  their  nature 
known  to  very  few  persons;  public  offences 
include  all  others.  In  the  case  of  private,  in- 
dividual transgression,  the  offender  is  admon- 
ished privately  by  the  Deacon,  and  if  satis- 
faction is  given,  the  case  is  carried  no  further ; 
but  if  satisfaction  is  not  given,  the  case  is  re- 
ported to  the  Church  for  final  action.  In  case 
of  private  grievance  in  which  two  or  more 
members  are  concerned,  the  aggrieving  and 
aggrieved  parties  should  be  brought  together 
by  the  Deacons  and  the  matter  settled  pri- 
vately if  possible.  No  such  case  is  allowed 
to  come  before  the  Church  except  as  directed 
in  Matt.  18:15-17. 

When  a  member  is  openly  at  variance  with 
his  fellowman,  whether  it  be  a  member  of  the 


msciPLiNB  ^9 

Church  or  not,  he  shall  be  required  to  make  a 
reasonable  effort  to  become  reconciled  ax> 
cording  to  Matt.  6:14,  15;  Mark  11:25,  26i 

When  two  or  more  members  are  openly  at 
variance,  or  when  a  member  is  walking  in  a 
disorderly  manner  by  general  report,  the 
Church,  through  a  Committee  or  otherwise, 
calls  the  offender  or  offenders  to  account ;  and 
in  the  presence  of  such  offenders  —  unless 
they  refuse  to  be  present,  then  in  their  abr 
sence  —  the  Church  examines  into  the  nature 
of  the  offence  or  the  character  of  the  general 
reports;  if  the  parties  are  found  guilty  and 
do  not  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  penitence, 
after  suitable  discipline,  they  are  excluded 
from  the  Church. 

If  a  member  habitually  absents  himself 
from  the  meetings  of  the  Church,  refuses  to 
bear  his  proportionate  part  of  the  Church  ex- 
penses, or  casts  his  influence  against  the 
Church,  he  is  admonished  by  the  Deacon,  and 
if  he  still  persist,  his  case  is  brought  before 
the  Church  as  one  for  discipline. 

A  Minister,  if  found  guilty  of  transgres- 
sion or  heresy,  is  brought  to  trial  and  acquit- 
ted or  convicted  like  any  other  member;  only 
in  the  Minister's  case  the  Church  calls  a  coun- 
cil of  two  or  more  Ministers  to  advise  with 
her  in  respect  to  her  final  action. 

We  wish  to  exhort  laymen  and  ministers  to 
guard  carefully  and  prayerfully  against  con- 
tracting debts  that  are  liable  to  bring  about 
financial  embarrassment. 


so  DISCIPLXNE 

It  often  happens  that  men  make  and  prom- 
ise to  pay  accounts  in  good  faith,  but  they  fail 
to  meet  their  obligations,  for  causes  that  they 
can  not  control. 

We  do  not  know  of  many  things  that  have 
been  more  hurtful  to  ministers  in  all  denomi- 
nations than  to  have  obligations  along  this 
line  that  they  can  not  or  will  not  pay. 

Ministers  and  lay  members  of  our  churches 
who  fail  to  make  a  reasonable  eflfort  to  meet 
their  financial  obligations  should  be  disci- 
plined as  for  other  offences. 


MEETINGS  OF  THE  CHURCH 

Each  Church  meets  as  often  as  practicable 
for  the  public  worship  of  God. 

The  times  of  celebrating  the  Lord's  Supper, 
Washing  Feet,  and  of  Business  Meetings,  are 
arranged  by  each  local  Church  to  suit  its  own 
convenience.  Generally  these  meetings  are 
monthly  or  quarterly.  Business  Meetings  pre- 
ceding the  Lord's  Supper. 

Each  Church  is  required  to  observe  the  Or- 
dinances. Foot-washing  follows  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

Conference  of  Business  Meetings  are  opened 
and  closed  with  suitable  devotional  exercises. 
The  Pastor  acts  as  Moderator  of  the  Business 
Meetings  of  the  Church.  In  the  absence  of 
the  Pastor,  the  Church  may  meet  when  it  is 
necessary  and  attend  to  ordinary  Church  busi- 
ness; but  no  member  is  excluded  in  the  ab- 


DISCIPLINE 


U^ 


Sence  of  the  Pastor.  All  Business  Meetings 
are  conducted  according  to  certain  Rules  of 
Order, 


THE  MINISTRY 

When  a  Church  has  satisfactory  evidence 
that  one  of  her  members  has  been  called  of 
God  to  preach  the  Gospel,  she  grants  him  a 
license  to  preach,  signed  by  the  Pastor  and 
Clerk.  This  license  is  generally  for  one  year, 
but  may  afterwards  be  renewed  by  the 
Church. 

A  Church  desiring  the  ordination  of  a  mem- 
ber, who  has  been  previously  licensed,  recom- 
mends him  to  the  Ordaining  Council. 

This  Council  examines  him  on  the  principal 
doctrines  of  the  Bible  and  the  practices  of  the 
Free-Will  Baptist  Church. 

If  he  is  found  worthy,  the  Council  furnishes 
him  with  a  certificate  of  ordination,  after  they 
have  ordained  him  by  the  laying  on  of  hands, 
prayer,  a  charge,  the  hand  of  fellowship  and 
a  sermon. 

The  Council  shall  sign  the  certificate,  and 
among  his  brethren  he  bears  the  title  of  Elder. 

When  a  minister  of  another  denomination 
desires  to  unite  with  the  Free-Will  Baptists, 
he  first  becomes  a  member  of  some  Free-Will 
Baptist  Church;  then  in  his  case  the  proceed- 
ings are  the  same  as  those  in  ordaining  a  li- 
centiate through  the  examination,  and  instead 


^2,  DISCIPLINE 

of  a  second  ordination,  his  former  certificate 
is  endorsed  by  the  Council. 


INDEPENDENCE  OF  THE  CHURCHES, 
ETC. 

Each  local  Church  is  a  distinct  and  inde- 
pendent organization,  with  full  authority  to 
manage  its  own  internal  affairs,  elect  its  offi- 
cers, receive,  dismiss,  discipline,  and  exclude 
members.  But  this  principle  of  the  independ- 
ence of  each  Church  is  not  held  as  a  law  of 
isolation;  on  the  contrary.  Churches  conve- 
niently situated  associate  and  cooperate  in  all 
things  which  tend  to  advance  the  common 
cause.  Councils  are,  therefore,  called  in  the 
organization  of  a  Church  and  the  settlement 
of  serious  difficulties.  On  the  same  principles, 
the  Churches  meet  by  delegation  in  the  An- 
nual Conferences,  etc. 

The  Annual  Conference  being  the  highest 
tribunal,  shall  have  final  jurisdiction  over  the 
local  churches. 


CONSTITUTION 


Article  1.  This  body  shall  be  known  as 
The  Cape  Fear  Free-Will  Baptist  Conference. 

Akt.  2.  The  object  of  this  Conference  shall 
be  to  promote  Christ's  Kingdom  among  men 


DISCIPLINE  S3 

by  means  in  strict  conformity  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures, 

Art.  3.  This  Conference  shall  be  composed 
of  the  ministers  who  are  members  of  churches 
belonging  to  the  body,  and  of  delegates  from 
these  churches,  each  church  being  entitled  to 
three  delegates. 

Art.  4.  The  delegates  from  each  Church 
shall  bear  to  the  Conference  a  letter  certify- 
ing their  appointment,  showing  the  condtion 
and  statistics  of  the  Church,  and  giving  a 
statement  of  all  funds  raised  during  the  year 
for  denominational  or  other  benevolent  pur^ 
poses. 

Art.  S.  The  officers  of  this  body  shall  be  a 
Moderator,  a  Treasurer,  Corresponding  and 
Recording  Secretary,  who  shall  be  elected  for 
a  term  of  two  years,  and  said  election  to  take 
place  one  year  prior  to  their  entering  upon 
the  duties  of  said  office. 

Art.  6.  This  Conference  may,  at  each  reg- 
ular meeting,  elect  as  many  Boards  or  Stand- 
ing Committees  as  may  be  necessary  in  carry- 
ing out  its  benevolent  purposes.  These  shall 
keep  a  record  of  their  proceedings  and  make 
a  report  at  each  regular  meeting  of  this  Con- 
ference. 

Art.  7.  Any  Church  desiring  to  become  a 
member  of  this  body  shall  present  her  peti- 
tion at  a  regular  session  of  Conference, 
through  delegates  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
If  she  be  received,  the  Moderator  shall  extend 
to  her  delegates  the  hand  of  fellowship. 

AsT.  8.  The  Conference  may  extend  to  vis< 


34  DISCIPLINE 

iting  brethren  all  privileges  of  the  body,  save 
that  of  voting. 

Art.  9.  This  Constitutioii  may  be  amend- 
ed at  any  regular  session  by  vote  of  four-fifths 
of  the  members  present. 


RULES  OF  ORDER 


MOTIONS 

A  motion  must  be  made  by  one  member, 
seconded  by  another,  and  afterwards  stated 
by  the  Moderator,  before  it  is  debated.  A 
motion  shall  be  reduced  to  writing  by  the 
mover,  at  the  demand  of  any  one  member. 

All  resolutions  shall  be  submitted  in  writing. 

A  motion  or  resolution  may  be  withdrawn 
at  any  time  before  a  decision  or  amendment 
by  the  Conference. 

Any  motion  or  resolution  containing  more 
than  one  distinct  proposition  shall  be  divided, 
provided  the  call  for  a  division  be  sustained 
by  a  majority. 

No  motion  to  amend  shall  be  in  order  be- 
yond a  motion  to  amend  the  amendment. 

No  amendment  relating  to  a  different  sub- 
ject shall  be  in  order. 

A  motion  lost  shall  not  be  recorded  except 
so  ordered  at  the  time. 

SPEAKING 

When  a  member  speaks  or  offers  a  motion, 
he  should  rise  and  respectfully  address  the 


DISCIPLINE  35 

Moderator,  confine  himself  to  the  question 
under  consideration,  and  avoid  all  personality 
or  unkind  and  disrespectful  language. 

When  two  or  more  members  rise  to  speak 
at  the  same  time,  the  Moderator  shall  decide 
who  is  entitled  to  the  floor. 

While  a  member  is  speaking,  no  one  shall 
interrupt  him  except  to  call  him  to  order,  ask 
leave  to  explain  or  make  explanation.  The 
one  allowed  to  explain  shall  confine  himself 
strictly  to  an  actual  misunderstandig  of  lan- 
guage which  may  need  explanation. 

If  the  speaker  yield  the  floor  to  another,  he 
can  not  claim  it  again. 

No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice, 
or  longer  than  fifteen  minutes  each  time,  on 
any  question,  without  leave  of  the  Conference, 
which  leave  shall  be  granted  without  debate. 

All  conversation,  by  whispering  or  other- 
wise, which  is  calculated  to  disturb  the  speak- 
er or  hinder  the  transaction  of  business,  and 
passing  between  the  speaker  and  the  chair, 
shall  be  out  of  order. 

COMMITTEES 

Committees  shall  be  nominated  by  Confer- 
ence (no  member  being  allowed  to  nominate 
more  than  one  on  the  same  Committee),  and 
the  nomination  then  confirmed  by  vote;  or 
the  Committee  may  be  named  by  the  Modera- 
tor by  request  of  the  Conference. 

The  member  first  named  on  a  Committee 
shall  be  its  chairman  to  call  the  Committee 
together,  but  after  it  is  convened,  the  Com- 


36  DISCIPLINE 

mittee  may  elect  its  own  chairman  and  sec- 
retary. 

Any  subject  under  debate,  or  any  matter 
of  business,  may  be  referred  to  a  Committee, 
with  or  without  instructions. 

All  reports  of  Committees  shall  be  made  in 
writing,  signed  by  a  majority.  When  a  ma- 
jority report  is  followed  by  a  minority  report 
from  the  same  Committee,  the  former,  after 
being  read,  shall  lie  on  the  table  until  the  lat- 
ter is  presented,  after  which  it  may  be  con- 
sidjered. 

A  report  of  a  Committee  may  be  recommit- 
ted, when  necessary  for  further  investigation, 
or  to  present  it  in  some  more  acceptable  form. 

All  reports  when  read  shall  be  considered 
as  properly  before  the  body,  without  a  motion 
to  accept. 

VOTING 

Voting  shall  be  done  by  "  aye  "  and  "  nay," 
by  standing  up  when  a  vote  is  close,  or  when 
it  becomes  necessary  to  count  the  affirmative 
and  negative,  and  in  special  cases  by  ballot. 

The  Moderator,  in  case  of  a  tie,  may  give 
the  casting  vote. 

All  members  should  vote  on  one  side  or  the 
other,  unless  excused. 

No  motion,  discussion,  or  other  business, 
shall  be  admitted  while  the  vote  is  being 
taken. 


DISCTPLINE  37 

LAYING  ON  THE  TABLE 

Immediate  action  upon  any  question  may 
be  deferred  by  laying  on  the  table  to  special 
time  or  indefinitely.  In  the  same  way  ques- 
tions may  be  postponed. 

PRIVILEGE  QUESTIONS 

When  a  motion  or  resolution  is  before  the 
body,  the  only  motions  in  order  shall  be:  1st, 
to  adjourn;  2nd,  previous  question;  3rd,  to 
lay  on  the  table;  4th,  to  postpone  indefinitely; 
Sth,  to  postpone  to  a  definite  time;  6th,  to 
refer;  7th,  to  divide,  if  division  is  admissible; 
Sth,  to  amend  —  to  take  precedence  as  here- 
in arranged. 

Motions  to  adjourn,  when  to  adjourn  sim- 
ply, to  take  the  previous  question,  and  to  lay 
on  the  table,  must  be  decided  without  debate. 

FILLING  BLANKS 

Names  suggested  for  filling  blanks  shall  be 
voted  on  in  order  of  their  nomination;  when 
different  numbers  and  times  are  proposed,  the 
greatest  number  and  longest  time  shall  be 
voted  on  first. 

RECONSIDERATION 

A  motion  to  reconsider  a  motion  previously 
passed  must  be  made  by  one  who  voted  in  the 
affirmative  when  the  motion  passed,  and  if  a 
vote  to  reconsider  is  lost,  it  can  not  be  re- 
newed during  the  session. 


3.8:  DISCIPLINE 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS   FOR  LOCAL 
CHURCH  QUARTERLY  MEETINGS 

1.  Call  to  order  for  business. 

2.  Roll  call. 

3.  Read  minutes  of  last  meeting. 

4.  Confessions. 

5.  Censures. 

6.  Unfinished  business. 

7.  Report  of  deacons. 

8.  Report  of  committees. 

9.  Report  of  treasurer  of  finance  committee. 

10.  New  business. 

11.  Miscellaneous  business. 

12.  Adjournment. 


CEREMONIES 

SOLEMNIZATION    OF   MATRIMONY 

The  persons  to  be  married,  standing  to- 
gether, the  man  on  the  right  hand  and  the 
woman  on  the  left,  the  Minister  shall  say: 

Dearly  Beloved:  We  are  gathered  together 
here  in  the  sight  of  God  and  in  the  face  of 
this  company  to  join  this  man  and  this  woman 
in  holy  matrimony,  which  is  commended  of 
St.  Paul  to  be  honorable  among  all  men;  and 
therefore  is  not  to  be  entered  into  unadvisedly 
or  lightly,  but  reverently,  discreetly,  soberly, 
and  in  the  fear  of  God.  Into  this  holy  estate 
these  two  persons  present  come  now  to  be 
joined.     If  any  person  or  persons  can  show 


DISCIPLINE  39 

just  cause  why  they  may  not  lawfully  be 
joined  together,  let  them  now  speak,  or  else 
forever  hold  their  peace. 

Speaking  to  the  persons  to  be  married  he 
shall  say: 

I  require  and  charge  you  both,  as  ye  will 
answer  in  the  day  of  judgment,  when  the  se- 
crets of  all  hearts  shall  be  disclosed,  that  if 
either  of  you  know  any  impediment  why  ye 
may  not  be  lawfully  joined  together  in  matri- 
mony, ye  do  now  confess  it;  for  be  well  as- 
sured that  if  any  persons  are  joined  together 
otherwise  than  as  God's  Word  doth  allow, 
their  marriage  is  not  lawful. 

If  no  impediment  shall  be  alleged  or  sus- 
pected, the  Minister  shall  say  to  the  man: 

Man,  wilt  thou  have  this  woman  to  thy 
wedded  wife,  to  live  together  after  God's  or- 
dinance, in  the  holy  estate  of  matrimony? 
Wilt  thou  love  her,  comfort  her,  honor  and 
keep  her,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  and,  for- 
saking all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto-  her,  so 
long  as  you  both  shall  live? 

The  man  shall  answer,  I  will. 

Then  shall  the  Minister  say  to  the  woman: 

Woman,  wilt  thou  have  this  m.an  to  be  thy 
wedded  husband,  to  live  together  after  God's 
ordinance,  in  the  holy  estate  of  matrimony? 
Wilt  thou  obey  him  and  serve  him;  love, 
honor,  and  keep  him,  in  sickness  and  in  health, 
and,  forsaking  all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto 
him,  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live? 

-  The  woman  shall  answer,.  I  will, 


40  DISCIPLINE 

Then  shall  the  Minister  join  their  right 
hands  together,  and  say: 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let 
no  man  put  asunder. 

Then  the  Minister  shall  speak  to  the  com- 
pany: 

Forasmuch  as  this  man  and  this  woman 
have  consented  together  in  holy  wedlock,  and 
have  witnessed  the  same  before  God  and  this 
company,  and  thereto  have  given  and  pledged 
their  troth,  each  to  the  other,  and  have  de- 
clared the  same  by  joining  hands,  I  pronounce 
that  they  are  man  and  wife,  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.    Amen. 

Then  the  Minister  may  add  this  blessing: 

God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the 
Holy  Ghost,  bless,  preserve,  and  keep  you; 
the  Lord  mercifully  with  His  favor  look  upon 
you,  and  fill  you  with  all  spiritual  benedic- 
tion and  grace;  that  you  may  so  live  together 
in  this  life,  that  in  the  world  to  come  you  may 
have  life  everlasting.     Amen. 


FUNERAL  SERVICES 

The  general  order  of  service  in  a  private 
house  shall  be: 

Reading  of  Scripture. 

Address. 

Prayer. 

Benediction. 

The  service  may  be  opened  by  singing,  and 


DISCIPLINE  41 

other  songs  may  be  sung  at  the  discretion  of 
the  Minister. 

OPENING  SERVICES. 

I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life:  he  that 
believeth  in  Me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet 
shall  he  live;  and  whosoever  liveth  and  be- 
lieveth in  Me  shall  never  die.    John  11 :25,  26. 

I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that 
He  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the 
earth:  and  though  after  my  skin  worms  de- 
stroy this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see 
God:  whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine 
eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another.  Job  19: 
25-27. 

The  Lord  hear  thee  in  the  day  of  trouble; 
the  name  of  the  God  of  Jacob  defend  thee. 
Psalm  20:1. 

God  is  our  refuge  and  strength;  a  very 
present  help  in  trouble.  Therefore  will  we 
not  fear,  though  the  earth  be  removed,  and 
though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the 
midst  of  the  sea;  though  the  waters  thereof 
roar  and  be  troubled,  though  the  mountains 
shake  with  the  swelling  thereof.  Psalm  46: 
1-3. 

For  Thou  hast  been  a  strength  to  the  poor, 
a  strength  to  the  needy  in  his  distress,  a  ref- 
uge from  the  storm,  a  shadow  from  the  heat, 
when  the  blast  of  the  terrible  ones  is  as  a 
storm  against  the  wall.    Isa.  25:4. 

Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you.  The  hour  is 
coming,  and  now  is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear 


42  DISCiPLINE 

the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God:  and  they  that 
hear  shall  live.    John  5:25. 

And  this  is  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  Me, 
that  every  one  which  seeth  the  Son,  and  be- 
heveth  on  Him,  may  have  everlasting  life; 
and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day.  John 
6:40. 

I  am  the  living  bread  which  came  down 
from  heaven:  if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread,  he 
shall  live  forever:  and  the  bread  that  I  will 
give  is  My  flesh,  which  I  will  give  for  the  life 
of  the  world.    John  6:51. 

These  things  I  have  spoken  unto  you  that 
in  Me  ye  might  have  peace.  In  the  world 
ye  shall  have  tribulation:  but  be  of  good 
cheer;  I  have  overcome  the  world.  John 
16:33. 

Blessed  be  God,  even  the  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies,  and 
the  God  of  all  comfort;  who  comforteth  us 
in  all  our  tribulation,  that  we  may  be  able  to 
comfort  them  which  are  in  trouble,  by  the 
comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  com- 
forted.   2  Cor.  1:3,  4. 

MORTALITY 

Man  that  is  born  of  woman  is  of  few  days 
and  full  of  trouble.  He  cometh  like  a  flower, 
and  is  cut  down:  he  fieeth  like  a  shadow,  and 
continueth  not.  And  dost  thou  open  thine 
eyes  upon  such  a  one,  and  bringest  me  into 
judgment  with  Thee?  Who  can  bring  a  clean 
thing  out  of  an  unclean?  not  one.  Seeing  his 
days  are  determined,  the  number  of  his  montha 


DISCIPLINE  43 

are  with  Thee;  Thou  has  appointed  his  bounds 
that  he  can  not  pass;  turn  from  him  that  he 
may  rest,  till  he  shall  accomplish,  as  an  hire- 
ling, his  day.     Job  14:1-6. 

Job  14:7-14  may  be  read  also.  Psalm  39: 
4:13  and  Psalm  90:9-17  can  be  used  at  the 
choice  of  the  Minister. 

confiiJence. 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul:  and  all  that  is 
within  me,  bless  His  holy  name.  Bless  the 
Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  His  bene- 
fits: who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities;  who 
healeth  all  thy  diseases;  who  redeemeth  thy 
life  from  destruction;  who  crowneth  thee  with 
lovingkindness  and  tender  mercies;  who  sat- 
isfieth  thy  mouth  with  good  things;  so  that 
thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's.  The 
Lord  executeth  righteousness  and  judgment 
for  all  that  are  oppressed.    Psalm  106:  1-6. 

The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd:  I  shall  not 
want.  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green 
pastures  He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 
He  restoreth  my  soul:  He  leadeth  me  in  the 
paths  of  righteousness  for  His  name's  sake. 
Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil:  for  Thou 
art  with  me:  Thy  rod  and  Thy  staff  they  com- 
fort me.  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in 
the  presence  of  mine  enemies:  Thou  anoint- 
est  my  head  with  oil;  my  cup  runneth  over. 
Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all 
tbe  days  of  my  life,  and  I  shall  dwell  in  the 


44  DISCIPLINE 

house  of  the  Lord  forever.    Psalm  23.    Psalm 
27  may  be  read  also. 

FUNERAL  OF  A  LITTLE   CHILD 

At  the  same  time  came  the  disciples  unto 
Jesus,  saying,  Who  is  the  greatest  in  the  king- 
dom of  heaven?  And  Jesus  called  a  little 
child  unto  him,  and  set  him  in  the  midst  of 
them,  and  said,  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  Ex- 
cept ye  be  converted,  and  become  as  little  chil- 
dren, ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  Whosoever  therefore  shall  humble 
himself  as  this  little  child,  the  same  is  greatest 
in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  whoso  shall 
receive  one  such  little  child  in  My  name,  re- 
ceiveth  Me.  But  whosoever  shall  offend  one 
of  these  little  ones  which  believe  in  Me,  it 
were  better  for  him  that  a  millstone  were 
hanged  about  his  neck,  and  that  he  were 
drowned  in  the  depth  of  the  sea.  Matt.  18: 
1-6. 

And  they  brought  young  children  unto  Him, 
that  He  should  touch  them:  and  His  disciples 
rebuked  those  that  brought  them.  But  when 
Jesus  saw  it,  He  was  much  displeased,  and 
said  unto  them:  Suffer  the  little  children  to 
come  unto  Me,  and  forbid  them  not;  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  Whosoever  shall  not  receive  the 
kingdom  of  Go.d  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not 
enter  therein.  And  He  took  them  up  in  His 
arms,  put  His  hands  upon  them,  and  blessed 
them.    Mark  10:13-16. 


DISCIPLINE  45 

FOR  A  YOUNG  MAN 

And  it  came  to  pass  the  day  after,  that  He 
went  into  a  city  called  Nain;  and  many  of 
His  disciples  went  with  Him,  and  much  peo- 
ple. Now  when  He  came  nigh  to  the  gate  of 
the  city,  behold,  there  was  a  dead  man  carried 
out,  the  only  son  of  his  mother,  and  she  was 
a  widow:  and  much  people  of  the  city  was 
with  her.  And  when  the  Lord  saw  her,  He 
had  compassion  on  her,  and  said  unto  her, 
Weep  not.  And  He  came  and  touched  the 
bier:  and  they  that  bare  him  stood  still.  And 
he  said.  Young  man,  I  say  unto  thee.  Arise. 
And  he  that  was  dead  sat  up,  and  began  to 
speak.  And  he  delivered  him  to  his  mother. 
And  there  came  a  fear  on  all:  and  they  glori- 
fied God,  saying,  that  a  great  prophet  is  risen 
up  among  us;  and,  that  God  hath  visited  His 
people.  And  this  rumor  of  Him  went  forth 
throughout  all  Judea,  and  throughout  all  the 
region  round  about.    Luke  7:11-17. 

Eccl.  11:7-10  may  be  read  if  desired. 

FOR  A  YOUNG  WOMAN 

And  when  Jesus  was  passed  over  again  by 
ship  unto  the  other  side,  much  people  gath- 
ered unto  Him:  and  He  was  nigh  unto  the 
sea.  And  behold,  there  cometh  one  of  the 
rulers  of  the  synagogue,  Jairus  by  name;  and 
when  he  saw  Him,  he  fell  at  his  feet,  and  be- 
sought Him  greatly,  saying,  My  little  daugh- 
ter lieth  at  the  point  of  death:  I  pray  Thee, 
come  and  lay  Thy  hands  on  her,  that  she  may 


46  DISCIPLINE 

be  healed;  and  she  shall  live.  And  Jesus  went 
with  him ;  and  much  people  followed  Him,  and 
thronged  Him. 

While  he  yet  spake,  there  came  from  the 
ruler  of  the  synagogue's  house  certain  which 
said,  Thy  daughter  is  dead:  why  troublest 
thou  the  Master  any  further?  As  soon  as 
Jesus  heard  the  word  that  was  spoken,  He 
saith  unto  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue.  Be  not 
afraid,  only  believe.  And  He  suffered  no  man 
to  follow  Him,  save  Peter,  and  James,  and 
John,  the  brother  of  James.  And  He  cometh 
to  the  house  of  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue,  and 
seeth  the  tumult,  and  them  that  wept  and 
wailed  greatly.  And  when  He  was  come  in. 
He  saith  unto  them,  Why  make  ye  this  ado, 
and  weep?  The  damsel  is  not  dead,  but 
sleepeth.  And  they  laughed  Him  to  scorn. 
But  when  He  had  put  them  all  out,  he  taketh 
the  father  and  mother  of  the  damsel,  and 
them  that  were  with  Him,  and  entereth  in 
where  the  damsel  was  lying.  And  He  took 
the  damsel  by  the  hand,  and  said  unto  her, 
Talitha  cumi;  which  is,  being  interpreted. 
Damsel,  I  say  unto  thee,  arise.  And  straight- 
way the  damsel  arose,  and  walked;  for  she 
was  of  the  age  of  twelve  years.  And  they 
were  astonished  with  a  great  astonishment. 
Mark  5:21-24;  35-42. 

FUNERAL  OF  A  VIRTUOUS  W^OMAN 

Who  can  find  a  virtuous  woman?  for  her 
price  is  far  above  rubies,    The  heart  of  her 


DISCIPLINE  47 

husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her,  so  that  he 
shall  have  no  need  of  spoil.  She  will  do  him 
good  and  not  evil  all  the  days  of  her  life.  She 
seeketh  wool  and  flax,  and  worketh  willinglj'^ 
with  her  hands.  She  is  like  the  merchants' 
ships;  she  bringeth  her  food  from  afar.  She 
riseth  also  while  it  is  yet  night,  and  giveth 
meat  to  her  household,  and  a  portion  to  her 
maidens.     Prov.  31:10-15. 

Now  there  was  at  Joppa  a  certain  disciple 
named  Tabitha,  which  by  interpretation  is 
called  Dorcas:  this  woman  was  full  of  good 
works  and  almsdeeds  which  she  did.  And  it 
came  to  pass  in  those  days,  that  she  was  sick, 
and  died:  whom  when  they  had  washed,  they 
laid  her  in  an  upper  chamber.  And  foras- 
much as  Lydia  was  nigh  to  Joppa,  and  the  dis- 
ciples had  heard  that  Peter  was  there,  they 
sent  unto  him  two  men,  desiring  him  that  he 
would  not  delay  to  come  to  them.  Then 
Peter  arose  and  went  with  them.  When  he 
was  come,  they  brought  him  into  the  upper 
chamber;  and  all  the  widows  stood  by  him 
weeping,'  and  showing  the  coats  and  garments 
which  Dorcas  made,  while  she  was  with  them. 
But  Peter  put  them  all  forth,  and  kneeled 
down,  and  prayed;  and  turning  him  to  the 
body  said,  Tabitha,  arise.  And  she  opened 
her  eyes,  and  when  she  saw  Peter,  she  sat  up. 
And  he  gave  her  his  hand,  and  lifted  her  up, 
and  when  he  had  called  the  saints  and  wid- 
ows, presented  her  alive.  And  it  was  known 
throughout  all  Joppa;  and  many  believed  in 
the  Lord.     Acts  9:36-42. 


48  DISCIPLINE 

FUNERAL  OF  AN  AGED  PERSON 

Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of 
thy  youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor 
the  years  draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I 
have  no  pleasure  in  them;  while  the  sun,  or 
the  light,  or  the  moon,  or  the  stars,  be  not 
darkened,  nor  the  cloud  return  after  the  rain: 
in  the  day  when  the  keepers  of  the  house  shall 
tremble,  and  the  strong  men  shall  bow  them- 
selves, and  the  grinders  cease  because  they 
are  few,  and  those  that  look  out  of  the  win- 
dows be  darkened.  And  the  doors  shall  be 
shut  in  the  streets,  when  the  sound  of  the 
grinding  is  low;  and  he  shall  rise  up  at  the 
voice  of  the  bird,  and  all  the  daughters  of 
music  shall  be  brought  low;  also  when  they 
shall  be  afraid  of  that  which  is  high,  and  fears 
shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond  tree  shall 
flourish,  and  the  grasshopper  shall  be  a  bur- 
den, and  desire  shall  fail:  because  man  goeth 
to  his  long  home,  and  the  mourners  go  about 
the  streets:  or  ever  the  silver  cord  be  loosed, 
or  the  golden  bowl  be  broken,  or  the  pitcher 
be  broken  at  the  fountain,  or  the  wheel  be 
broken  at  the  cistern.  Then  shall  the  dust 
return  to  the  earth  as  it  was;  and  the  spirit 
shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it.  Eccl.  12: 
1-7. 

Job  5:17-27  may  be  read  if  preferred. 

RESURRECTION. 

But  some  man  will  say.  How  are  the  dead 
raised  up?  and  with  what  body  dp  they  come? 


DISCIPLINE  49 

Thou  fool,  that  which  thou  sowest  is  not 
quickened,  except  it  die:  and  that  which  thou 
sowest,  thou  sowest  not  that  body  that  shall 
be,  but  bare  grain;  it  may  chance  of  wheat, 
or  some  other  grain:  but  God  giveth  it  a  body 
as  it  hath  pleased  Him,  and  to  every  seed  his 
own  body.  All  flesh  is  not  the  same  flesh: 
but  there  is  one  kind  of  flesh  of  men,  another 
of  fishes,  another  of  birds.  There  are  also  ce- 
lestial bodies,  and  bodies  terrestrial:  but  the 
glory  of  the  celestial  is  one,  and  the  glory  of 
the  terrestrial  is  another.  There  is  one  glory 
of  the  sun,  and  another  glory  of  the  moon, 
and  another  glory  of  the  stars;  for  one  star 
differeth  from  another  star  in  glory.  So  also 
is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  It  is  sown 
in  corruption,  it  is  raised  in  incorruption ;  it 
is  sown  in  weakness,  it  is  raised  in  power;  it 
is  sown  a  natural  body,  it  is  raised  a, spiritual 
body.  And  so  it  is  written.  The  first  man 
Adam  was  made  a  living  soul;  the  last  Adam 
was  made  a  quickening  spirit.  Howbeit  that 
was  not  first  which  is  spiritual,  but  that  which 
is  natural;  and  afterwards  that  which  is  spir- 
itual. The  first  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthy; 
the  second  man  is  the  Lord  from  heaven.  As 
is  the  earthy,  such  are  they  also  that  are 
earthy:  and  as  is  the  heavenly,  such  are  they 
also  that  are  heavenly.  And  as  we  have  borne 
the  image  of  the  earthy,  we  shall  also  bear 
the  image  of  the  heavenly.  Now  this  say, 
brethren,  that  flesh  and  blood  can  not  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God;  neither  doth  corruption 
inherit  incorruption.    1  Cor.  15:  35-50. 


so  DISCIPLINE 

.  I  would  not  have  you  to  be  ignorant,  breth- 
ren, concerning  them  which  are  asleep,  that 
ye  sorrow  not,  even  as  others,  which  have  no 
hope.  For  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and 
rose  again,  even  so  them  also  which  sleep  in 
Jesus,  will  God  bring  with  Him.  For  this  we 
say  unto  you  by  the  word  of  the  I,ord,  that 
we  which  are  alive  and  remain  unto  the  com- 
ing of  the  Lord  shall  not  prevent  them  which 
are  asleep.  For  the  Lord  Himself  shall  de- 
scend from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the 
voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  of 
God:  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first: 
then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain  shallbe 
caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to 
meet  the  Lord  in  the  air:  and  so  shall  we  ever 
be  with  the  Lord.  Wherefore  comfort  one 
another  with  these  words.    1  Thes.  4:13-18. 

Matt.  28:1-10  may  be  read  if  desired. 

Arriving  at  the  grave,  the  Minister  may 
read  the  following: 

As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass:  as  a 
flower  of  the  field,  so  he  fiourisheth.  For  the 
wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone;  and  the 
place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more.  But  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to  ever- 
lasting, upon  them  that  fear  Him,  and  His 
righteousness  unto  children's  children.  Psalm 
103:15-17. 

Psalm  46:1-3,  or  John  5:28,  29,  may  also 
be  read. 


DISCIPLINE  51 


COMMITTAL 


And  now  it  becometh  us,  in  resignation  to 
the  will  of  God  our  Heavenly  Father,  to  com- 
mit the  mortal  part  of  the  one  we  have  Ipved, 
to  the  ground  —  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes, 
dust  to  dust  —  thankful  for  His  adorable  gift 
of  Christ  our  Savior,  who  has  abolished  death, 
and  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light 
through  the  gospel. 

Then  he  may  read  or  repeat  Rev.  14:13. 

PRAYER  OR  BENEDICTION 

Now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  keep  you 
from  falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless  be- 
fore the  presence  of  His  glory  with  exceeding 
joy,  to  the  only  wise  God  our  Savior,  he  glory 
and  majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now 
and  forever.    Amen.    Jude  25. 


SONGS  FOR  FUNERAL  SERVICES 


What  a  Friend  We  Have  in  Jesus 

What  a  Friend  we  have  in  Jesus, 

All  our  sins  and  griefs  to  bear; 
What  a  privilege  to  carry 

Everything  to  God  in  prayer. 
Oh,  what  peace  we  often  forfeit. 

Oh,  what  needless  pain  we  bear' 
All  because  we  do  not  carry 

Everything  to  God  in  prayer. 


S2  DISCIPLINE 

Have  we  trials  and  temptations? 

Is  there  trouble  anjrwhere? 
We  should  never  be  discouraged, 

Take  it  to  the  Lord  in  prayer. 
Can  we  find  a  friend  so  faithful, 

Who  will  all  our  sorrows  share? 
-      Jesus  knows  our  every  weakness, 

Take  it  to  the  Lord  in  prayer. 


Safe/ in  the  Arms  of  Jesus 

!Safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus, 

Safe  on  His  gentle  breast, 
There  by  His  love  o'ershaded, 

Sweetly  my  soul  shall  rest. 
Hark,  'tis  the  voice  of  angels 

Borne  in  a  song  to  me, 
Over  the  fields  of  glory. 

Over  the  jasper  sea. 

Jesus,  my  heart's  dear  refuge, 

Jesus  has  died  for  me; 
Firm  on  the  Rock  of  Ages 

Ever  my  trust  shall  be. 
Here  let  me  wait  with  patience. 

Wait  till  the  night  is  o'er; 
Wait  till  I  see  the  morning 

Break  on  the  golden  shore. 


DISCIPLINE  S3 

Asleep  in  Jesus  '^  ' 

Asleep  in  Jesus!  blessed  sleep, 
From  which  none  ever  wakes  to  weep; 
A  calm  and  undisturbed  repose, 
Unbroken  by  the  last  of  foes. 

Asleep  in  Jesus!  O  how  sweet 
To  be  for  such  a  slumber  meet; 
With  holy  confidence  to  sing 
That  death  has  lost  its  venomed  sting. 

Asleep  in  Jesus;  peaceful  rest, 
Whose  waking  is  supremely  blest;  5 

No  fear,  no  woe,  shall  dim  that  hour 
That  manifests  the  Savior's  power. 


The  Sweet  By  and  By 

There's  a  land  that  is  fairer  than  day, 
And  by  faith  we  can  see  it  afar; 

For  the  Father  waits  over  the  way, 
To  prepare  us  a  dwelling  place  there. 

Chorus. — In  the  sweet  by  and  by 
We  shall  meet  on  that  beautiful  shore. 

We  shall  sing  on  that  beautiful  shore 
The  melodious  songs  of  the  blest, 

And  our  spirits  shall  sorrow  no  more, 
Not  a  sigh  for  the  blesings  of  rest. 

To  our  bountiful  Father  above 
We  will  offer  our  tribute  of  praise, 

For  the  glorious  gift  of  His  love, 
And  the  blessings  that  hallow  our  days. 


54  DISCIPLINE 

DEDICATION  OF  A  CHURCH 

Several  Ministers  should  be  invited  to  as- 
sist in  the  exercises. 

Opening  song. 

Either  of  the  following  Scriptures  may  be 
read,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Minister: 

Gen.  28:10-22;  Heb.  10:19-25;   2  Chron. 
6:12-21;   Psalm  48;   Psalm  84;   Psalm  122 
Matt  16:13-20;   Eph.  2:10-22;   Psalm  133 
John  iO:  17,  18;   11-26;   1  Cor.  3;  Heb.  10 
19-26. 

Sermon. 

The  offering  may  be  taken. 

The  officers  of  the  church  shall  then  ad- 
dress the  Minister  through  one  of  their  num- 
ber as  follows: 

"  God  has  been  gracious  to  us,  and  through 
His  goodness  we  have  been  enabled  to  build 
this  house  as  a  place  in  which  to  worship 
Him.  We  thank  Him  for  it.  It  is  His  house, 
not  ours}  therefore  we  present  it  to  you  to  be 
set  apart  from  all  unholy  or  common  uses,  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Congregation  respond:  "  So  may  it  be." 

The  congregation  standing,  the  Minister 
shall  say: 

"  We  heartily  thank  God  for  putting  it  into 
the  hearts  of  His  people  here  to  biiild  this 
house  for  His  worship.  He  has  graciously 
blessed  them  in  the  work,  and  enabled  them 
to  coinplete  it  in  His  name, and  for  His-^lory. 


DISCIPLINE  SS 

Therefore  we  solemnly  dedicate  it  to  His  ser- 
vice for  the  reading  and  preaching  of  His  bles- 
sed Word;  for  the  administration  of  His  ordi- 
nances, and  for  other  acts  of  religious  wor- 
ship. 

"  We  heartily  desire  that  these  walls  may 
continually  serve  to  set  forth  His  most  worthy 
praise,  and  trust  that  He  may  make  here  His 
abiding  place,  and  manifest  His  adorable  maj- 
esty and  glory. 

"  Now  that  He  may  accept  this  house  as 
the  work  of  our  hands  and  add  His  approval 
to  the  same,  let  us  devoutly  pray." 

All  join  in  prayer,  to  be  led  by  the  one  se- 
lected for  that  purpose. 

Close  by  song  and  benediction. 


INDEX 

Amusements,  worldly 17 

Atonement    10 

Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  IS 

Baptism,  water  20 

Ceremonies  38 

Christ    7 

Church  covenant  23 

Clerk  25 

Committal  Service 51 

Constitution   32- 

Committees  35 

Creation   5 

Divine  government  5 

Divorce  19 

Deacon   26 

Deaconesses   26 

Death   21 

Dedication  of  a  church 54 

Dismission  of  members  28 

Faith  :.  13 

Finance  committee 26 

Filling  blanks   37 

Foot-washing    21 

Funeral  services 40 

Funeral  of  a  little  child 44 

Funeral  of  a  young  man  45 

Funeral  of  a  young  woman 45 

Funeral  of  a  virtuous  woman 46 

Funeral  of  an  aged  person  ..^ 48 

Gifts  of  the  Spirit IS 

Government   27 

Holy  Scriptures  3 


INDEX— Continued 

Independence  of  the  churches  32 

Intermediate  state 22 

Justification    14 

Laying  on  of  hands  21 

|,§,ying  on  the  table 37 

Meetings  of  the  church 30 

Motions 34 

^cers   2  5 

Order  of  business 38 

Pastors   26 

^Perseverance  of  the  saints  16 

jPrayer  or  benediction  at  a  funeral 51 

primitive  state  of  man,  and  the  fall 5 

Principles  of  discipline 28 

Privilege  question 37 

jReception  of  members 27 

Regeneration    13 

Repentance 12 

Reconsideration 3  7 

Rules  of  order  34 

Sanctification   14 

Second  coming  of  Christ 22 

Solemnization  of  n^atrimony 38 

Songs  for  funeral  service 51 

Speaking 34 

The  gospel  call 12 

The  Holy  Spirit 9 

The  Sabbath 16 

The  true  God 3 

T&mperance 18 

The  Church  19 

The  gospel  ministry 20 

The  Lord's  Supper 21 


INDEX— Continued 

The  general  judgment  and  future  retri- 
bution     23 

The  ministry  31 

The  resurrection  22 

The  Scripture  on  the  resurrection 48 

The  organization  of  the  church  24 

Tithing   18 

Treasurer 25 

Voting  36 


IM 


:1P 


